The Temperature Is Rising

It’s heating up in Trenton. Today, U.S. Attorney Chris Christie heads to federal court to ask a judge to tell the Legislature to hand over documents he seeks under subpoena growing out of the investigation of Sen. Wayne Bryant. If that weren’t enough to get attention under the Gold Dome, Christie sprinkled another round of subpoenaes on legislative leaders, like Speaker Joe Roberts and Senate President Dick Codey last Friday. Republican leaders got ‘em too. But the Democrats are in charge and the so-called “Christmas Tree” list of grants and money-handouts reached $350 million in this year’s budget under them. Republicans, who did the same thing when they were in power, are planning to introduce sweeping reforms tomorrow. The Democrats can’t allow Republicans to get credit for doing something good, so the Ds will introduce their own proposals. Amid all this, Corzine unveils his budget for next year tomorrow. Will it be just another attempt to support the status quo or contain real efforts to keep a lid on runaway spending and ever-rising taxes and fees? My guess is Christie’s threat of more jailed politicians is a lot more potent than any pol’s urge to do the right thing or look out for the average man and woman.

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About Bob Ingle

Bob Ingle is Senior Political Columnist for Gannett New Jersey newspapers and co-author of The New York Times' Best Seller, "The Soprano State: New Jersey's Culture of Corruption" and "Chris Christie: The Inside Story Of His Rise To Power". He has won numerous journalism awards and is often a news analyst on radio and television. Twitter @ bobingle99.

12 Responses to The Temperature Is Rising

From reports I’ve read, Corzine’s budget would let a specific business tax expire that state businesses say hurt them, and it increases school aid to suburban and rural districts, something which has been causing local municipalities to raise their property taxes in order to compensate since state aid has been flat for years. Corzine, who has cut the annual deficit by something like $1.5 to 2 billion in his first year and done so while providing property tax relief for the majority of New Jerseyans, is said not be raising any new taxes. On top of that, I’ve read that Corzine has all but reached a deal with the unions that will cause them to pay more in co-pay, raise the retirment age to 60, and a cap on pensions for multiple holders; the workers would get an increase in salary, though, which seems fair to me.

Regarding the subpoenas, let’s see where this pork was going (read Wayne Bryant) and for whom. As Mr. Ingle stated, this isn’t a Democratic or Republican problem per se, and other state legislatures and especially our federal government (Byrd, Thurmond, etc.) are guilty of pork-based projects. The pork-funding takes the next step to corruption, however, when it involves a quid pro quo for a particular senator or assemblyman — a project s/he worked on that in turn provided monetary reward specifically for them.

Bob,Please continue to keep us informed about the subpoenas and indictments of these corrupt politicians. You are a lone voice in the wilderness.Hopefully Christie will be able to bring NJ voters to their senses.Something the “mainstream media” has been unable or unwilling to do.

Is this the same Gov. Corzine who raised the sales tax, did nothing to stop “the toxic mix of waste, fraud & abuse”, vowed to stop pay-to-play, did not use his line item veto power to stop the 2006 pork (that closed down the state) and now will not release the names of the members who got the pork, who wants to sell our state assets instead of cutting spending, who wants the municipal governments to have a 4% cap (but no such restrictions on state spending), who talks a good game for the taxpayers, then turns around and stabs us in the back????

Mr. Martin who are you kidding??? Oh wait a minute – you’re a teacher. Now I understand your glowing comments.

What’s up Mike?The Governor hasn’t signed that property tax “rebate” bill yet, my friend, so lets not hand out the laurels quite yet.

As for the CWA contract, from what I’ve read, co-pays and deductibles remain the same. But the CWA will have to start contributing 1.5% (as well as .5% more for pension, total 5.5%) in salary. The CWA has never had to contribute to healthcare costs, other than co-pays/deductible. Pretty signifigant expenditures for a State employee making less than 70k.

The head of the largest CWA local, Ms. Katz, called it “the most anti-state worker contract ever” This of course, looks like posturing. Since one would assume that Ms.Katz was getting updates from her own negotiators from time to time. Word has it that Union leadership for 1 or the 2 largest CWA locals (probably Katz’) has recommended a “NO” vote on the contract. So the Governor isn’t out of the woods yet on this one.

I’ll assume we’ll be getting more specifics in tomorrow’s budget speech. So we ought to wait till that’s in, before we tear things apart, and start crunching some numbers.

As for Christmas Trees, earmarks, and budget busters approved in the dead of night. Yeah, truly a disgraceful practice. If its all well and good, then that Pol should be out, front and center, requesting, then justifying, any additional spending he/she wants to tack on. What started out as being not a great mechanism for pork, has devolved into out and out avarice, and a slush fund to reward those who toe the line. Despicable.

Billions of tax dollars looted from the New Jersey state treasury did not disappear by themselves.

There were hordes of government types involved—both elected, appointed—and staffers on the public payroll of these individuals who knew about it.

The machinations of Sen Wayne Bryant, D-Camden, (spark plug for Christie’s investigations) are now the stuff of legend—a latter-day robber baron who used a lax political system to enrich himself by suspicious means.

Since no one has come forward to report crimes, Christie needs to determine whether Bryant forced individuals sign illegal confidentiality agreements to prohibit discussion of his shady activities.

THE CAMDEN CRIME NEXUS

Sen Bryant personally shepherded legislation re the $175M state takeover of Camden. Bryant’s buddy—Melvin Primas—was the only person interviewed for the job as Camden “financial” administrator.

Sen Bryant apparently rigged our government with his cronies under the Golden Dome to pass the Camden law.

Christie needs to determine what quid pro quos Bryant gave out in exchange for votes. Christie ought to determine how much Camden money was circulated to individuals who voted for Bryant’s $175M law, and how much Camden money went to the Democrat party and to Democrat candidates.

Bryant’s $175M law contained an unusual provision. That provision allowed Bryant’s buddy, Melvin “Randy Primas” to control $175 million in government grants to Camden.

Can you say offshore banking haven?

Under Primas, Bryant’s law firm received a $270K contract to provide legal services to the Camden Redevelopment Agency in 2005.

Can you say conflict of interest?

Randy Primas also pumped his state pension (or one of them) to $28K per year thanks to a part-time job he held for 9 years as Lawnside’s “financial adviser” that paid him $2000 annually.

The lessons learned here is that the political boys that play together, profit together.

ITEM: Gov Florio’s former chief of staff, Joe Salema, kept his financial interest in a bonding company that made money through direct government acts by Florio’s approving tax-exempt bonds for garbage incinerators. Florio approved the project (even though as an environmental-friendly candidate Florio promised that he would not forward the project). Apparently, the incinerator project went belly-up. Predictably taxpayers had to bail them out.

TRENTON — Sitting motionless without saying a word, former Brick Township Mayor Joseph Scarpelli had his pension and health benefits suspended today by a state pension board, in light of his recent resignation and guilty plea to corruption charges.

Scarpelli, 67, admitted in federal court last month he accepted $5,000 in bribes for building proposals. When in front of the Public Employees Retirement System board, Scarpelli let his lawyer speak for him and request the board not to suspend his pension.

Michael Nolan, Scarpelli’s lawyer, told the pension board the age of Scarpelli and his wife, both 67, required much medical need and that they would need their current health benefits to maintain their health. Scarpelli’s wife, who does not work, would also need the pension to sustain any sort of lifestyle, Nolan said.

The board took five minutes in a closed session to decide Scarpelli’s fate. “The board’s decision is based largely on the nature of the offenses, the magnitude of the offense,” said board member Frederick Beaver, the state Department of Treasury’s representative as state pension and benefits director.

The suspension starts immediately, said board chairman Roderick Lewis. Scarpelli’s sentencing is scheduled for May 29. He could serve up to a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and pay a $250,000 fine. At his lawyer’s advice, Scarpelli declined to answer questions after the hearing.

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The question is how many pensions does this crook have? These government leeches usually have several pensions. They then pump up their several pensions with multiple no-show government jobs (that we pay for with our tax dollars).

The crook admitted in federal court he accepted $5,000 in bribes for building proposals? That’s a bunch of baloney. The tip of the iceberg.

Crooked politicians have many, many ways to “find” government money under the table.

He should have thought about losing his pension, health benefits and “lifestyle” before accepting bribes.

Unfortunately, this is a susupension of pension that can be revived. The Board needs to terminate this guy’s pension(s).

Just to correct something. The 4% “cap” is *not* on local spending but on the amount they can tax you. If they can get other sources of incomes (state, local income tax, selling their roads to the county, etc…), their budget can double as long as the property tax increase is 4%.

Personally I think your comments are very well thought out, however, I do not understand the logic behind some of your reasoning and would really like to hear from you regarding this.

In most of your posts, you clearly side with the politico’s and their plans. You state in this post for example, “Corzine, who has cut the annual deficit by something like $1.5 to 2 billion in his first year and done so while providing property tax relief for the majority of New Jerseyans…”

How can one reconcile this comment with the reality of what truly happened here? In fact, Corzine raised taxes by billions last year, and this year he had few options in order to not raise them. The backlash would have been profound for this Governor. In fact, Corzine faced a $4.5 billion dollar deficit, and raised taxes to pay for it. But wasn’t this again a shell game? To take from us in increased taxes, then give back to us in so-called property tax relief is a farce plain and simple.

It’s merely a shell game to protect the interests of those who serve those others who serve in Government.

Most of your posts again are very well thought out. In fact, I think all too well thought out in the interests of the politicians.

Someone mentions here you are a teacher. I praise you for that. However, are you really a teacher or someone else such as a minion for the political leadership to praise the work that this administration is doing in order to give the other side some recognition in a blog that the majority of bloggers clearly argue against even in the most innocuous comments in your posts.

I just don’t understand the logic behind how you can continually praise the work these leaders are doing as apposed to the reality of what is going on.

When I campaigned for Governor, I told a group of teachers that I would use Executive order powers to call the legislature into session to redo the entire tax code. One teacher stated, “ You don’t have the power to do that.” I stated, “Yes, I do. In fact have you ever read our state constitution?”

He stated, “I have taught the Constitution in the class for many years. You are wrong.” I stated, “But have you read the state constitution, not America’s?” He stated, “Well, no.” I then stated, “Sir as an educator, I must tell you that you need to educate yourself because all you are doing is pontificating on an issue you clearly have no knowledge about, yet rail against it. As an educator, you need to learn how to educate yourself.”

The rest of the teachers actually applauded. They understood the common sense of what I stated, and understood that this gentleman was nothing more that an educator without education, and just likes to rail against issues he has no true knowledge or meaning about. He bases his opinions on an emotional level rather than an educated forum of discussion.

I gained a lot of support that day with these educators believe it or not.

So my question to you is, do you really have the knowledge to understand what it is you are saying, or are you just pontificating to well…pontificate?

You have a lot of intelligence Mr. Martin. Please dig deeper into the issues and realize that what you are stating is not as accurate as some here might believe. You are a wise person. I can see that.

But again, whom do you truly work for, the education system or the politicians? I think it may be a bit of both.

But I would like you take on this subject and explanation as to why it is you truly believe the things you do.

It is not out of disrespect for you sir. I am just seeking clarity as it dumbfounds me to read how you are putting two and two together.

If I am wrong, show me. Educate me and the people on this blog with straight facts and figures so that we may continue to educate you on how this process truly works so we can shed some light on you to make you understand that what they are doing is not only wrong, but goes against the very moral fabric of what our forefathers hoped for in a free America.

Thank you all for your patience with my little rant, and thank you ahead of time Mr. Martin for helping to clear this up with me and the bloggers on this post.

NJTaxpayer and OneNewJersey, You both are worthy contributors to this board, and I think you provide a good counterbalance to many of the ideological thrusts, left of right, of several posters.

NJT had mentioned that the property tax relief hadn’t been implemented yet; this may be merely a matter of Corzine not signing off on it, though, since the 20% relief plan will provide checks to almost all homeowners this year. I still support Corzine’s tax relief plan, even with its flaws, because it provides the greatest amount of tax relief for New Jerseyans that we’ve had in years. According to the Courier Post, my borough, in fact, out of all South Jersey towns, will receive the greatest monetary amount of property tax relief. As a renter, my relief package will go up 100% this year from $75 to $150; in a state with very little affordable housing and its citizens in tough financial straits, surely this relief provides some ease of monetary burden. My overall point in the original post was that, had you told me that Corzine, in his first year, would have cut the budget deficit by $2 billion or so (which was even acknowledged by Leonard Lance), provided property tax relief for most New Jerseyans, created a tax cap for local townships to stop rising property taxes on the local level, partially fulfilled a pledge for comprehensive ethics reform for legislators, and so forth, I wouldn’t have believed you. Corzine, who only makes $1 as governor, has curbed the influence of party bosses upon Trenton and, in my estimation, is tackling the state’s most difficult challenges head on.

Incidentally, I have thought highly of Corzine since his senate days, when he had the foresight to vote against this awful war that continues to kill Americans and innocent Iraqis and deplete our national resources; he also had a near perfect environmental rating from various environmental groups and did some noble, but difficult, legislation, including working for health funds for poor sexually assualted women.

I do think that Mr. Martin has a good heart. I think that he is certainly trying to accept the best of what this governor is trying to do. He believes in it. And for that, I have total respect. We sometimes have to agree to disagree. But it is up to us to show the Mr. Martin’s of this world there is another view. And he is certainly deserving of that respect. He is intelligent in his posts, yet we must show and educate him that there are deeper issues here.

RE: Mr. Martin

I can certainly understand your point of view. Yes, is great that we are getting something back. But the reality is why do they have to take it in the first place? Where are the cost-cutting measures? Where are the ethics?

Please remember Mr. Martin that it is a political year. These politicians are solely seeking a red herring to give to us in order to try to state, “Look what I’ve done. I’ve given you back some money. I’m a great politician.”

In reality, they are pandering for political support in an election year. Why take my money to begin with. Don’t I deserve to earn the interest on that $1200 I’m supposed to get? They shouldn’t be taking it to begin with.

Corzine is between a rock and a hard place. He wants the public to believe he is fighting hard for New Jerseyans, but the reality is, he is a tax and spend politician. He rails against the legislature saying, “This is not good enough,” but at the same time raises taxes, ignores ethics reforms, and panders to the unions as evidenced by the horrible union contract he is about to approve.

Dick Gephardt said it best today. While the average state worker will pay about $50 per month for health insurance for his new contract, the average New Jerseyan in the private sector will pay well over $400 per pay. Did Corzine help New Jerseyans or did he pander to the unions?

As for the environmental issues, Corzine sides with common sense on that issue. No person in the right mind is going to say, “I don’t want a reduction in green house gasses. But again, these are “feel good” issues one can always be on the right side of the track.

How does he deal with real reforms? Taxes, ethics, pay-to-play, and so much more. As Governor, he has the absolute power to enact change through executive order. He has not achieved 90% of what he campaigned on. He has failed as a leader and panders to the political machine in order to not cross that line between angering them and angering the people.

Do you see what I mean? He is simply “playing politics.” And that disturbs me. Just get the job done. Do it yourself if you must.

And like I always have said, and many, if not all have agreed, I wouldn’t care if he made 1 million dollars if he did the right things. Lowered taxes, ethics was routinely practiced, pay-to-play was gone. Dual office holding, and so much more.

If these politicians would realize that if they did right by the people, we the people would give back to them by easily re-electing them, then we all would win.

Imagine if you will a politician that does the right things all of the time. Would you re-elect them time and again? We all would. It’s such a simple concept to understand, yet our leaders seem to lack the capability to do this. Why? It’s about the money. The patronage. The POWER!

As for Corzine only making a $1 as governor. What message is that sending? He ONLY wants the power to move onto the national political scene. Nothing more, nothing less. Would you only take a dollar to be governor? I wouldn’t. I need to feed my family.

Would you only take a dollar as a medic because it is noble? Would you only take a dollar as a doctor because you are nobly saving lives?

P.S. I meant Gerheart on 101.5, not Dick Gephardt! My bad. It was late

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Bob Ingle, Senior Political Columnist for Gannett New Jersey newspapers, on politics in "The Soprano State".

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Debuted October 18, 2010

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Bob IngleBob Ingle is Senior Political Columnist for Gannett New Jersey Newspapers and co-author of The New York Times' Best Seller, "The Soprano State: New Jersey's Culture of Corruption." Hear him Fridays at 5 p.m. on www.tommygshow.com radio. twitter.com/bobingle99 E-mail Bob

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"Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power," written by Bob Ingle and Michael Symons, offers the first inside portrait of New Jersey’s governor, who in two years as governor emerged as a national Republican Party figure famous for his blunt public statements. The book details Christie’s combative public persona and deep family roots, tracing his improbable political rise from a bruising stint in county government to his anti-corruption crusade as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power goes behind the scenes to reveal his family life, his public life, and what the future might hold..

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"The Soprano State," written by Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure, details the you-couldn't-make-this-up true story of the corruption that has pervaded New Jersey politics, government, and business for the past thirty years. From Jimmy Hoffa purportedly being buried somewhere beneath the end zone in Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands, through allegations of a thoroughly corrupt medical and dental university, through Mafia influence at all levels, to a governor who suddenly declares himself a “gay American” and resigns, the Garden State might indeed be better named after the HBO mobsters.

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